Never Miss A Story.

Daily Edition

Comedy vet Liz Astrof inks deal at 20th TV

THR EXCLUSIVE

With networks on the verge of picking new shows for next season, 20th Century Fox TV has inked a two-year overall deal with comedy veteran Liz Astrof.

Astrof ("The King of Queens," "Kath & Kim") will work on shows for the studio as well as develop projects of her own. Although Astrof has not yet been assigned to a show, the studio has several comedy pilots in contention for the fall, with such buzzworthy titles as Greg Garcia's "Keep Hope Alive" at Fox and Carter Bays and Craig Thomas' "Livin' on a Prayer" pilot at CBS.

"The studio has obviously had a great year in comedy launching 'Modern Family,' 'The Cleveland Show' and 'Glee," and we're always looking for great comedic voices," 20th Century Fox chairman Gary Newman said. "Liz has excelled at a number of series, both multi- and single-camera."

The studio hopes to get enough half-hours picked up for next season that it will be able to claim the mantle of the studio with the most comedies on the air.

As for the WME-repped Astrof, she has high hopes for the pilots "Hope" and Fox's "Traffic Light."

"I'm kind of silly, and I think the studio and I share a similar sensibility," she said. "They're not horrified by my honesty."